Feed device for sawmill-carriages.



J. F. MARKLE. FEED DEVICE FOR SAWMILL CARRIAGES.

(Application filed Apr. 6, 1899.) (N0 Nudel.) 4 Sheets-Sheet l.

No. 642,347. Patented Jan. 3'0, |900.

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No. 642,347. Patented 1an. 30, |900.

J. F. MARKLE. FEED DEVICE FUR SAWMILL GARRIAGES.'

(Application led Apr. 6, 1899.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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FEED DEVICE FOR SAWMILL CARRIAGES.

(Application filed Apr. 6, 1899.)

(No Model.) n 4 SheetS-Sheqf 3.

THE NUM S PF'EFS w. PHO on. fno.. wAsHumo o c Patented 1an. 30,1900.

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

J. F. MARKLE.

FEED DEVICE FUR SAWMILL GARRIAGES.

(Application led Ap (No Model.)

UNiriaD STATES PATENT Ormes.

JAMES F. MARKLE, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA.

FEED DEVICE FOR SAWNIlLL-CARRIAGES.

SPECIFICATION formng'part of Letters Patent No. 642,347, date/d January 30, 1900.

Appiicatiim filed April e, 1899. serial no.711,954.1N0-mae1.)

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Be it known that I, JAMES F. MARKLE, re-

siding at Minneapolis, in the county of Henating the log-carriages of circular and bandV saw mills, the invention as shown herein being applied to the special feeding device known as Prescotts direct acting steam feed, patented February 22, 1876,. Patent No. 174,004. Now all of the devices used for this purpose as known to the art are operated by a lever in the hand or under the control of a man called the sawyer. With this lever the sawyer controls the movements of the main steam-valve or other devices by which power is applied to the carriage, whereby its movement is affected and regulated'. It is upon the degree of efficiency with which this lever is handled by the sawyer that the entire daily output of lumber in every sawmill de# pends. In actual practice the' cut of such mills is from forty-five thousand to fty-five thousand feet of lumber per day of ten hours in soft-pine logs.. This cutting involves a great number of movements of the sawyers lever each day, and as each movement of the sawyers hand extends from one and one-half to two and one-half feet and is made with rapidity it will be seen that the work of the sawyer is very laborious and tiresome.

One object of my invention is to supply means for operating the feeding devices above mentioned with but' slightand easy eX- ertions of the sawyer, substituting for said sawyers lever the power of some duid-pressure--as steam, compressed air, dsc-under his control. In actual practice it is further found that a wide difference exists in sawmills as to the direction in which the sawyers lever moves in 'order to produce certain results-that is to say, in some sawmills the lever is moved by the Sawyer in the same direction the carriage travels while feeding the log to the saw, while in other sawmills the lever is moved in precisely the opposite direction while feeding the log to the saw. Again,

in othersawmills the lever is so arranged that it is moved crosswise of the sawmill or at right angles to the movement of the log-car riage, and in this position the lever in some instances is pushed toward the side of the carriage to feed the log to the saw, while in Qther cases the lever is pulled in the opposite direction to accomplish the same result, and this condition of affairs leads to difficulty and often to serious disaster to the machinery in a sawmill and the men employed in it. The reason for this is that sawyers frequently change from place to place and find employment in sawmills'where the sawyers lever is arranged differently from the one to which they have been accustomed, and unless the lever connections are rearranged so as to meet the previous education of the new sawyer accidents are liable to follow until hishand has acquired a new training by reversing all of his previous experience. This is a thing not easy to do, nor is it commonly easy to rearrange the lever system in order to fit the new Sawyer, so that as a rule the sawyer is obliged to learn that part of his trade over again, and if in so doing he loses control the carriage is liable to run away and damage the mill.

The second object of my invention is to provide means' whereby the movement of the handle or lever which operates the feeding device can be changed in a few moments of time to meet the desire or practice of any sawyer, whereby the lever is made to move in the direction with which he is familiar in order to feed the log to the saw.

My invention also comprises many other advantageous and novel features of construction and operation, all contributing to the improvement of the feed device of the carriage, as will be apparent from the description hereinafter given.

In the drawings, Figure I is a side elevation of a sawmill-carriage, showing my improved appliances; Fig. 2, a plan view thereof; Fig. 3, an e'levation of one side of the retardingchamber; Fig. 4, a sectional elevation on line 4 of Fig. 2 with carriage and track removed; Fig. 5, a sectional elevation on line 5 of Fig. 4; Fig. 6, a planview of the same parts shown in Fig. 5; Fig. 7, a section of one of the sheaves and supports shown in Fig. 4; Fig. 8, an enlarged horizontal section on line 8 of IOO Fig. 1; Fig. 9, an enlarged sectional elevation on line 9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10, a plan view of the operating-valve; Figs. 11 and 12, rear and front elevations of the operating-valve, and Fig. 13 an enlarged Sectiona-l elevation on line 13 of Fig. 8.

The sawmill-carriage l is of the usual and well-known construction, as is also the steamcylinder 2, having a piston 3 attached ordinarily to the tail end of the carriage. At each end of the cylinder and communicating therewith on either Side of the piston-rod 4 are attached steam inlet-pipes 5 and 6, both` extending from the main admission-valve device 7, which is of the usual construction, and which has a steam-Supply pipe 8 and exhaust 9 and capable of admitting steam alternately through theinlet-pipes at each end of the cylinder to operate the carriage at the will of the Sawyer. The main valve is operated by a rod 10, connected to a lever 11, secured to a rock-shaft 12, which iS actuated by a rod 13, pivoted to a vertical lever 13a. The rod 13 is itself actuated in the novel manner hereinafter described.

Mounted upon the sawmill-frame is a steamcylinder 14, in which travels a piston-head 15, having a piston-rod 16, connected to the rod 13 to actuate the same and the main valve as the piston-head is moved in the one direction or the other. This piston-rod passes through a second or retarding cylinder 17 in axial alinement with the cylinder 14 and containing oil 18 entering either end of the cylinder on either side ofa piston-head 19 on the common piston-rod 16. This by-pass may be provided with a suitable valve 20.

Upon the side of the cylinder 14 is a steam chest or casing 21, having steam ports and passages 22 and 23 entering the cylinder on either side of its piston-head, as clearly shown in Fig. S. This casing has an exhaust-port 24 and a steam-inlet 25. Within the casing is a valve 26, which I will term an operatingvalve, and which is operated by the Sawyer by means of an operating-rod, as hereinafter set forth. Asseen particularly in Figs. 9, 10, and 12, this valve is provided with a recess 27 for normally connect-ing passages 22 and 23 with the exhaust. The side opposite the recess is cut away, So that when the valve is 'turned in the one direction or the other steam may be admitted to the one end or the other of the cylinder and that end exhausted to which no admission is made.

Referring particularly to Figs. 4, 5, and 6, the operating-rod 2S extends a suitable distance above the door or frame within easy reach of the sawyer and is provided at its upper end with a crank or handle 29, operated by the Sawyer. rlhis rod 28 passes through the oor 30, and its lower end bears in a bracket or support 31, attached to the iioor. Secured by set-Screws or otherwise to this lower end of the rod is a collar 32, having opposite arms or levers 33. The Stem 34 of the valve 26 has a similar collar 35 and similar arms 36 standing parallel to the arms 33. One of 4each of the sets of arms 33 and 36 may, if desired, be dispensed with. These arms on the same side of their respective collars are connected by a Suitable connection or link 37, whereby the movement of the crank 29 by the Sawyer will be communicated to the operating-valve 26 and Steam admitted to move piston-rod 16, and thereby operate the main valve to admit steam to one end or the other of the steam-cylinder 2, depending on which direction the crank or handle has been turned by the Sawyer.

As shown in Fig. 2, the top end of the operating-rod has a square head to receive a Square hole in the crank or handle, which is removable and adjustable, so that the Sawyer can operate the valve from different positions or in differentrdirections, as required or found desirable, as herein Stated.

In order to restore the main valve as well as the piston 15 to normal position at the center of its cylinder, I have designed that the parts Shall work against Weight or tension mechanism comprising a pair of sheaves 38, over which extends a suitable cable 39 with weights 40 and 41 at the ends. The lever 11 is extended and attached to the cable between the sheaves, as seen in Fig. 4. The lever is capable of rocking in the one direction or the other, but always against the tendency of the weights to keep the parts in normal position.

Assuming that valve" 26 is moved toward the right, Fig. 3, by the movement lof the crank or handle 29, also to the right, Figs. 4 and 5, steam is admitted behind the piston 15, which is thereby forced outwardly. The movement of this piston and of all the connections is regulated in speed by the retarding-cylinder, and the piston cannot move any faster than the oil or other fluid is forced from one side of the piston to the other, thereby avoiding uneven and jerky-movements to the main admission which would be disastrous or injurious to the operation of the sawmill-carriage. The proper movements of the carriage are thus obtained by the Sawyer through a slight movement of the crank arm or handle, and the tiresome and laborious movements necessary to the operation ofthe Y usual lever are avoided. Furthermore, by the use of my invention an even and smooth actuation of the valves and connections is always assured and the sawmill-carriage responds in its movements accordingly.

In order to adapt the movements of the crank or handle to the previous education and training of the Sawyer, a simple adjustment only is required. In case the direction of movement of the crank, as Shown in the drawings, does not accord with the movements of the lever to which the sawyer has been accustomed the link 3.7 may be crossed or run diagonally between the arms 33 and 36. For instance, the link may be left in the arm 33, as shown,and crossed over to the arm 36l opposite to the one to which itis shown IOS) IIO

connected. To change the position of the handle with respect to the position of the operatingvalve, the handle may be readily changed to a dilferent position on the operating-rod. No substantial or expensive alterations or adjustments are thus required in the machine to adapt it to the training or practices of the Sawyer, and the danger of accidents resulting from the use of strange or differently-operating mechanisms is avoided.

Although I have described more or less precise forms and details of construction, I do not intend to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form, the proportion of parts, and the substitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or render expedient and without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claimf l. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, the combination with the carriage, of a cylinder, a piston therein having a rod connected with the carriage, pressure-inlet pipes or passages communicating with either end of the cylinder, a main valve governing the ow of fluidpressure through said pipes or passages, a rod for actuating said main valve, a second cylinder having a piston and a piston-rod and having pressure-inlet passages communicating with either end, a connection between said actuating-rod and the piston-rod of the second cylinder, a valve operated bythe sawyer to govern duid under pressure to and from said second cylinder, a third cylinder through which the piston-rod of the second cylinder extends longitudinally and having a piston connected to such rod and traveling in such third cylinder, such third cylinder being filled witha suitable liquid, and a by-pass connecting the ends of the third cylinder on either side of its piston, whereby such third cylinder act-s to regulate the speed of the piston in such second cylinder and of the main valve controlled thereby.

2. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, the combination of a iiuid-pressure-operated carriage, a valve device governing the -iluidpressure, fluid-pressure mechanism actuating said valve device, a Valve for said fluidpressure mechanism, an operating-rod for said valve and means capable of adjustment whereby the movement of the carriage may be reversed with the same movement of the rod.

3. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, the combination with the carriage, of a cylinder, a piston therein having a rod connected with the carriage, pressure-inlet pipes or passages communicating with either end of the cylinder, a Valve device governing said pipes or passages and having an actuating rod or stem, a second cylinder, a piston traveling therein and having a piston-rod connected with said stem, a rotary-valve device for admitting duid-pressure into one end or the other of said second cylinder and having a rotatable operating -rod extended within the reach of the sawyer, and a handle connected with such operating-rod to rotate it and operated by the sawyer.

4. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, the combination with the carriage, of a iiuidpressure-operated carriage, valve mechanism governing said fluid-pressure, a cylinder, a piston traveling therein and having a piston-rod, a valve device controlling fluid-pressure into either end of the cylinder, a rotatable rod for operating said valve device and extended Within the reachof the Sawyer, a second cylinder in axial alinement with the other cylinder and having said piston-rod passing through it, such second cylinder being closed and having a by-pass communieating with the ends of the cylinder, and a piston-head on said piston-rod within the second cylinder.

5. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, the combination with the carriage, of a fluid-pressure-operated carriage, valve mechanism governing said fluid-pressure, a fluid-pressure mechanism actuating said valve mechanism' and comprising a cylinder having ports and passages communicating with the ends of the cylinder, a piston in the cylinder, a rotary valve having a recess normally registering with said ports and, exhausting the cylinder and having a cut-away portion for admitting duid-pressure alternately on either side of the piston-head, a rotatable rod for operating said rotary valve and an adjustable handle connected to such rotatable rod.

6. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, the combination of a fluid-pressure-operated carriage, a valve device governing the uidpressure, fluid-pressure mechanism actuating said valve device, a valve for said Iiuidpressure mechanism, an operating-rod for said valve and an adjustable connection between said valve and rod for reversing the movement of the carriage with the same movement of the rod.

7. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, a rotatable operatingvalve for fluid pressure mechanism for actuating the carriagehaving a stem, transverse arms therefrom, an operating-rod having similar arms arranged parallel and a link connecting the similar ends of the arms and detachably secured thereto.

8. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, a rotatable operating-valve for fluid-pressure mechanism for actuating the carriage having a stem 34, a collar 35 having transverse arms 36 thereon, an operating-rod 28 having a similar collar 32 and arms 33, and a link 37 connecting one or the other set of the arms to determine the direction ot' movement of the valve according to the movement of the operating-rod. l

9. In a sawmillcarriage feed device, the combination of aiiuid-pressure-actuated carriage, a valve device for governing the fluidpressure and having an actuating-rod, a shifting rod, a pivoted lever connected at` one end with such shifting rod and near the other end with such valve-actuating rod, such lat- IOO IIO

ter end being extended beyond the point of connection of the actuating-rod, and a device connected to such extended end and exerting atension on either side of axed point.

10. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, the combination of a fluid-pressure-actuated carriage, a valve device for governing the fluidpressure and having an actuating rod, a shifting rod, a pivoted lever pivotally connected at one end to such shift-ing rod and near the other end to such valve actuating rod, such latter end being extended beyond the point of connection of the actuating-rod, a pair of sheaves 38, a cable 39 passing over such sheaves and connected to such extended end of the lever and suspended weights attached to the ends of the cable.

11. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, the combination of a fluid-pressure-operated carriage, valve mechanism governing the {inidpressure, fluid-pressure mechanism actuating said valve mechanism, an operatingvalve for said fluid-pressure mechanism, an operatingrod for said operating valve and having an angular head and a removable crank or handle having an angular hole to receive saidl head whereby the handle may be adjusted to operate in .d'fferent directions with respect to the Sawyer to accomplish the same movements of the carriage.

12. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, the combination of a iuid-pressure-operated carriage, fluid-pressure mechanism operating the carriage, an operating-rod under control of the Sawyer, a connection between such fluid-pressure mechanism and lthe rod, such rod having an angular head,and a removable crank or handle having an angular hole to receive such head whereby the handle may be adjusted to operate in different directions with respect to the sawyer to accomplish the same movements of the carriage.

13. In a sawmill-carriage feed device, the combination of auid-pressure-operated carriage-,valve mechanism governing the uidpressureJluid-pressure mechanism actuating said valve mechanism, an operating-valve for said fluid-'pressure mechanism, an oper= ating-rod having a handle for such operatingvalve and means whereby such handle may be adjusted with respect to the rod to operate in different directions with respect to the 'sawyer to accomplish thersame movements ,oted lever 11 connected at one end to the rod 10 and at the other end to the rod 13, a cylinder 14 having a piston-*rod 16 operating rod 13, a valve 26 governing fluid-pressure in cylinder 14 and having a stem 34, an operating-rod 28 and an adjustable reversing connection between the rod 28 and stem 34.

JAMES F. MARKLE.

W'itnesses:

GEO. W. ARMSTRONG, FRED STAPLEDON. 

